U.S. patent number 8,016,063 [Application Number 12/296,355] was granted by the patent office on 2011-09-13 for structure for mounting power supply apparatus on vehicle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Takenori Tsuchiya.
United States Patent |
8,016,063 |
Tsuchiya |
September 13, 2011 |
Structure for mounting power supply apparatus on vehicle
Abstract
A structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
includes a driver's seat and a passenger's seat installed within a
vehicle compartment and aligned in the vehicle width direction, an
instrument panel provided at the vehicle front inside the vehicle
compartment and equipped with electronics, a battery pack assembly
located between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat, and
wire harnesses electrically connected to the battery pack assembly.
The vehicle front side and the vehicle upper side of the wire
harnesses face the battery pack assembly. With the above-described
configuration, there is provided a structure for mounting a power
supply apparatus on a vehicle where the electronics provided at the
instrument panel are appropriately protected from an
electromagnetic wave.
Inventors: |
Tsuchiya; Takenori (Toyota,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
(Aichi-ken, JP)
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Family
ID: |
38655230 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/296,355 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2007 |
PCT
Filed: |
March 13, 2007 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2007/055592 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
October 07, 2008 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2007/125694 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
November 08, 2007 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20090183935 A1 |
Jul 23, 2009 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Apr 28, 2006 [JP] |
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2006-125649 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
180/68.5;
180/68.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M
50/20 (20210101); B60K 1/04 (20130101); Y02E
60/10 (20130101); B60K 2001/003 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
16/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;180/65.21,65.29,68.1,68.5,68.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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5-8663 |
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Jan 1993 |
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JP |
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11-89009 |
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Mar 1999 |
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JP |
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2000-182583 |
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Jun 2000 |
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JP |
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2001-105893 |
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Apr 2001 |
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JP |
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2001-294048 |
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Oct 2001 |
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JP |
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2004-022267 |
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Jan 2004 |
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JP |
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2004-148849 |
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May 2004 |
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JP |
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2004-345447 |
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Dec 2004 |
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JP |
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2005-1655 |
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Jan 2005 |
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JP |
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2005-047489 |
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Feb 2005 |
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JP |
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2005-247064 |
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Sep 2005 |
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JP |
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2005-271878 |
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Oct 2005 |
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JP |
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2006-80042 |
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Mar 2006 |
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JP |
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2007-15616 |
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Jan 2007 |
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JP |
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2005/051697 |
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Jun 2005 |
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WO |
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2006/109413 |
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Oct 2006 |
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WO |
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2007/029838 |
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Mar 2007 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Shriver, II; J. Allen
Assistant Examiner: Meyer; Jacob
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue Mion, PLLC
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle,
comprising: a first seat and a second seat installed within a
vehicle compartment and aligned in a vehicle width direction; an
instrument panel installed at a vehicle front inside the vehicle
compartment and equipped with electronics; a power supply portion
located between said first seat and said second seat; and an
electrical component electrically connected to said power supply
portion, a vehicle front side and a vehicle upper side of said
electrical component facing said power supply portion.
2. The structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
according to claim 1, wherein said electronics are provided at a
position higher than said electrical component.
3. The structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
according to claim 1, wherein said power supply portion includes a
side located at a vehicle rear side, and a recess is formed in such
a manner that said side is set back toward a vehicle front, and
said electrical component is located in said recess.
4. The structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
according to claim 3, wherein said power supply portion includes a
first power supply portion and a second power supply portion, said
first power supply portion and said second power supply portion
have a first side and a second side, respectively, located at the
vehicle rear side, and said recess is formed in such a manner that
said second power supply portion is provided on said first power
supply portion, and said second side is located more rear than said
first side.
5. The structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
according to claim 4, further comprising a metallic floor panel
provided on a floor inside the vehicle compartment, wherein said
first power supply portion is installed on said floor panel, and
said electrical component has three sides surrounded by said first
power supply portion, said second power supply portion and said
floor panel.
6. The structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
according to claim 4, wherein said first power supply portion and
said second power supply portion include a plurality of power
supply cells that are stacked and electrically connected to one
another, respectively, and the power supply cells that are included
in said second power supply portion and stacked in a longitudinal
direction of the vehicle are larger in number than the power supply
cells that are included in said first power supply portion and
stacked in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
7. The structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
according to claim 4, wherein said first power supply portion and
said second power supply portion include a plurality of power
supply cells that are stacked and electrically connected to one
another, respectively, and the power supply cells included in said
second power supply portion are larger in number than the power
supply cells included in said first power supply portion, the
structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
further comprising: a first exhaust passage through which a cooling
air having cooled said plurality of power supply cells is
discharged from said first power supply portion; and a second
exhaust passage through which a cooling air having cooled said
plurality of power supply cells is discharged from said second
power supply portion, wherein said first exhaust passage and said
second exhaust passage extend independently of each other, and
electrical equipment is installed on a path of said first exhaust
passage.
8. The structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
according to claim 3, wherein said first seat and said second seat
include a driver's seat and a passenger's seat, respectively, the
structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
further comprising: a center console installed between said
driver's seat and said passenger's seat and housing said power
supply portion; and a rear seat installed at a vehicle rear of said
driver's seat and said passenger's seat, wherein said center
console includes a sidewall located at the vehicle rear side and
curved toward said recess.
9. The structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
according to claim 1, wherein said electrical component is located
between said first seat and said second seat.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to a structure for mounting
a power supply apparatus on a vehicle. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a structure for mounting a power
supply apparatus on a vehicle where a power supply portion is
housed within a center console.
BACKGROUND ART
As to a conventional structure for mounting a power supply
apparatus on a vehicle, U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,555, for example,
discloses a battery pack for an electric vehicle (Patent Document
1). According to Patent Document 1, the battery pack includes a
lower-tier battery nested in a supporting tray, and an upper-tier
battery laid on the lower-tier battery.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 11-89009 discloses a battery
cooling structure for an electric vehicle that can improve the
cooling efficiency of a battery without causing problems of the
space for placement or structural complications (Patent Document
2). According to Patent Document 2, a direct current (DC)-DC
converter converting a battery voltage into a prescribed voltage or
the like is housed in a position surrounded by the battery within a
battery case.
Connected to the battery pack as disclosed in Patent Document 1 are
electrical components through which a high-voltage current flows,
such as a converter stepping up or down a voltage output at a
battery, a relay controlling a high-voltage circuit of the battery
and an output cable of the battery. In a case where the battery is
mounted between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat,
however, these electrical components are located in the proximity
of an instrument panel. Therefore, an electromagnetic wave emitted
from the electrical components might cause a malfunction or noise
of electronics provided at the instrument panel.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the
present invention is to provide a structure for mounting a power
supply apparatus on a vehicle where electronics provided at an
instrument panel are appropriately protected from an
electromagnetic wave.
A structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
according to the present invention includes a first seat and a
second seat installed within a vehicle compartment and aligned in a
vehicle width direction, an instrument panel installed at a vehicle
front inside the vehicle compartment and equipped with electronics,
a power supply portion located between the first seat and the
second seat, and an electrical component electrically connected to
the power supply portion. A vehicle front side and a vehicle upper
side of the electrical component face the power supply portion.
According to the structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on
a vehicle configured in the above-described manner, the instrument
panel is shielded by the power supply portion from the electrical
component. Therefore, arrival of an electromagnetic wave emitted
from the electrical component at the electronics provided at the
instrument panel can be suppressed. As a result, the electronics
can be appropriately protected from the electromagnetic wave.
Preferably, the electronics are provided at a position higher than
the electrical component. According to the structure for mounting a
power supply apparatus on a vehicle configured in the
above-described manner, an electromagnetic wave from the upper side
of the electrical component will readily reach the electronics.
Therefore, the upper side of the electrical component is covered
with the power supply portion. Thus, arrival of the electromagnetic
wave at the electronics can be prevented more effectively.
Preferably, the power supply portion includes a side located at a
vehicle rear side. A recess is formed in such a manner that the
side is set back toward a vehicle front. The electrical component
is located in the recess. According to the structure for mounting a
power supply apparatus on a vehicle configured in the
above-described manner, the recess formed in the side of the power
supply portion is used as the space for placement of the electrical
component.
Preferably, the power supply portion includes a first power supply
portion and a second power supply portion. The first power supply
portion and the second power supply portion have a first side and a
second side, respectively, located at the vehicle rear side. The
recess is formed in such a manner that the second power supply
portion is provided on the first power supply portion, and the
second side is located more rear than the first side. According to
the structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
configured in the above-described manner, the recess is formed
depending on the manner of the first power supply portion and the
second power supply portion that are laid one above the other.
Preferably, the structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on
a vehicle further includes a metallic floor panel provided on a
floor inside the vehicle compartment. The first power supply
portion is installed on the floor panel. The electrical component
has three sides surrounded by the first power supply portion, the
second power supply portion and the floor panel. According to the
structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
configured in the above-described manner, arrival of an
electromagnetic wave emitted from the electrical component at the
electronics provided at the instrument panel can be suppressed more
effectively.
Preferably, the first power supply portion and the second power
supply portion include a plurality of power supply cells that are
stacked and electrically connected to one another, respectively.
The power supply cells that are included in the second power supply
portion and stacked in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle are
larger in number than the power supply cells that are included in
the first power supply portion and stacked in the longitudinal
direction of the vehicle. According to the structure for mounting a
power supply apparatus on a vehicle configured in the
above-described manner, the second power supply portion having the
second side located more rear than the first side is configured
such that more power supply cells are stacked than those in the
first power supply portion.
Preferably, the first power supply portion and the second power
supply portion include a plurality of power supply cells that are
stacked and electrically connected to one another, respectively.
The power supply cells included in the second power supply portion
are larger in number than the power supply cells included in the
first power supply portion. The structure for mounting a power
supply apparatus on a vehicle further includes a first exhaust
passage through which a cooling air having cooled the plurality of
power supply cells is discharged from the first power supply
portion, and a second exhaust passage through which a cooling air
having cooled the plurality of power supply cells is discharged
from the second power supply portion. The first exhaust passage and
the second exhaust passage extend independently of each other.
Electrical equipment is installed on a path of the first exhaust
passage.
According to the structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on
a vehicle configured in the above-described manner, the electrical
equipment is installed on a path of the first exhaust passage
through which the cooling air is discharged from the first power
supply portion having the smaller number of the stacked power
supply cells. As a result, a difference between a pressure loss on
the path of the cooling air flowing through the first power supply
portion and the first exhaust passage in turn and a pressure loss
on the path of the cooling air flowing through the second power
supply portion and the second exhaust passage in turn can be
lessened.
Preferably, the first seat and the second seat include a driver's
seat and a passenger's seat, respectively. The structure for
mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle includes a center
console installed between the driver's seat and the passenger's
seat and housing the power supply portion, and a rear seat
installed at a vehicle rear of the driver's seat and the
passenger's seat. The center console includes a sidewall located at
the vehicle rear side and curved toward the recess. According to
the structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a vehicle
configured in the above-described manner, the sidewall of the
center console is formed so as to be curved toward the recess, so
that enough legroom for the rear seat can be ensured.
As described above, according to the present invention, there can
be provided a structure for mounting a power supply apparatus on a
vehicle where electronics provided at an instrument panel are
appropriately protected from an electromagnetic wave.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inside of a vehicle compartment
of a hybrid vehicle.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a power supply apparatus mounted on
the hybrid vehicle in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inside of a center console
box taken along line III-III in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the batteries in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of exhaust systems of cooling
mechanisms provided at the power supply apparatus in FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the exhaust systems of the cooling
mechanisms as seen from the direction shown by an arrow VI in FIG.
2.
FIGS. 7A-7D are schematic diagrams of modifications of the power
supply apparatus in FIG. 2.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings. In the drawings referenced hereinafter,
the same or corresponding components are represented by the same
reference numerals. In the present embodiments, the frontward side
in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle (the vehicle front) may
be simply called "the front," and the rearward side in the
longitudinal direction of the vehicle (the vehicle rear) may be
simply called "the rear."
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inside of a vehicle compartment
of a hybrid vehicle. FIG. 1 shows a hybrid vehicle powered by an
internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel
engine, as well as a chargeable and dischargeable power supply.
Referring to FIG. 1, inside the vehicle compartment, a driver's
seat 11 and a passenger's seat 12 serving as front seats are
provided side by side in the vehicle width direction. Rear seats
that are not shown are provided at the rear of driver's seat 11 and
passenger's seat 12. Driver's seat 11 and passenger's seat 12 are
fixed to a floor panel 1 through seat legs 230 and seat legs 240,
respectively. Floor panel 1 is made of metal, Seat legs 230 and 240
extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and have a
shape of an arch projecting upward from floor panel 1. A floor
carpet 10 is located on a surface of floor panel 1. Floor carpet 10
is provided so as to cover and hide seat legs 230 and 240. Under
driver's seat 11 and passenger's seat 12, a cavity is formed
between floor panel 1 and floor carpet 10.
A scuff plate 2 and a scuff plate 3 are disposed at the side of
driver's seat 11 and at the side of passenger's seat 12,
respectively. Scuff plates 2 and 3 are located on the periphery
inside the vehicle compartment. Scuff plates 2 and 3 extend in the
longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Scuff plates 2 and 3 are
provided so as to cover welds formed on floor panel 1. Wirings that
are not shown are arranged in a cavity 4 surrounded by scuff plate
2 and floor panel 1 as well as in a cavity 5 surrounded by scuff
plate 3 and floor panel 1.
A center console box 21 made of resin and extending in the
longitudinal direction of the vehicle is provided between driver's
seat 11 and passenger's seat 12. Center console box 21 has a
substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Center console box
21 is installed near the center of the vehicle in the vehicle width
direction. Center console box 21 is installed, for example, to
improve the interior aesthetics in the vehicle compartment or to
provide a cup holder for the placement of a beverage container or a
recess in which small articles can be placed. Formed at center
console box 21 are air introduction slits 22 through which air
inside the vehicle compartment is drawn into center console box
21.
An instrument panel 31 is installed in front of center console box
21. Instrument panel 31 is installed adjacent to a windshield at
the front inside the vehicle compartment. Center console box 21 and
instrument panel 31 are provided so as to stand face to face
directly in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A car
navigation system 32 and an audio system 33 such as a CD player or
an MD player are provided at instrument panel 31.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a power supply apparatus mounted on
the hybrid vehicle in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery
pack assembly 35 and a junction box 60 electrically connected to
battery pack assembly 35 are housed within center console box 21.
Battery pack assembly 35 includes a first battery pack 50 and a
second battery pack 40. First battery pack 50 and second battery
pack 40 are provided one above the other. Second battery pack 40 is
located on the upper side of first battery pack 50.
Junction box 60 is located on the upper side of second battery pack
40. Mounted in junction box 60 are peripheral equipment such as a
battery computer, a relay controlling a high-voltage circuit of a
battery, various sensors sensing a total voltage of the battery as
well as a charging and discharging current, a service plug
disconnecting the high-voltage circuit at the time of inspection
and maintenance of the battery packs, and the like.
Furthermore, a first cooling fan 80 and a second cooling fan 70 are
housed within center console box 21. First cooling fan 80 is
located between first battery pack 50 and instrument panel 31.
Second cooling fan 70 is located between second battery pack 40 and
instrument panel 31. First cooling fan 80 and second cooling fan 70
cause a cooling air to be flown to the inside of first battery pack
50 and second battery pack 40, respectively.
An exhaust passage 150 is formed between first cooling fan 80 and
scuff plate 2. A DC-DC converter 210 is installed on a path of
exhaust passage 150. DC-DC converter 210 is located between a pair
of seat legs 230. DC-DC converter 210 steps down a high voltage
output at the battery to a voltage that is used by auxiliaries of
the vehicle such as a lamp or audio equipment, or each ECU
(Electronic Control Unit) mounted on the vehicle, and charges an
auxiliary battery that is not shown. An exhaust passage 100 is
formed between second cooling fan 70 and scuff plate 3.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inside of the center
console box taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS.
2 and 3, first battery pack 50 includes batteries (secondary
batteries) 54 and a battery case 51 within which batteries 54 are
housed. Batteries 54 are not particularly limited as long as
batteries 54 are chargeable and dischargeable secondary batteries.
Batteries 54 may be, for example, nickel-hydride batteries or
lithium-ion batteries.
Battery case 51 is made of metal. Battery case 51 is formed of, for
example, a galvanized steel plate in order to ensure strength.
Battery case 51 includes a covering portion 52 and an extended
portion 53. Covering portion 52 is formed so as to surround
batteries 54. Covering portion 52 is formed in a substantially
rectangular parallelepiped shape having a long side direction and a
short side direction when the vehicle is viewed in a plane. The
long side direction of covering portion 52 corresponds with the
longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the short side direction
of covering portion 52 corresponds with the vehicle width
direction. Extended portion 53 projects toward the front in the
longitudinal direction of the vehicle from covering portion 52.
Second battery pack 40 has the same configuration as that of first
battery pack 50. Second battery pack 40 includes batteries 44 and a
battery case 41. Battery case 41 includes a covering portion 42 and
an extended portion 43.
Battery pack assembly 35 includes a side 35a. Covering portion 52
includes a side 50a. Covering portion 42 includes a side 40a. Side
35a is formed of side 50a and side 40a. Side 50a and side 40a are
both located at the vehicle rear side. Side 50a and side 40a face
the same direction. Sides 50a and 40a face the rear seats that are
not shown. Side 40a is located more rear than side 50a. The
distance between the not-shown rear seats and side 40a is shorter
than the distance between the rear seats and side 50a.
With the above-described configuration, a recess 400 is formed in
such a manner that side 35a is set back toward the vehicle front at
a position adjacent to floor panel 1. Recess 400 is formed at a
position facing side 50a and under second battery pack 40. Recess
400 has three sides surrounded by first battery pack 50, second
battery pack 40 and floor panel 1.
Covering portion 52 further includes a side 50b. Covering portion
42 further includes a side 40b. Sides 50b and 40b face in the
direction opposite to sides 50a and 40a. Sides 50b and 40b are
located at the vehicle front side. First battery pack 50 and second
battery pack 40 are provided such that side 50b is substantially
aligned with side 40b in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
The length of covering portion 52 in the longitudinal direction of
the vehicle is shorter than the length of covering portion 42 in
the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
A plurality of wire harnesses 380 are arranged in recess 400. The
plurality of wire harnesses 380 include a cable extending from
first battery pack 50 and second battery pack 40. The plurality of
wire harnesses 380 include a cable extending from junction box 60.
The plurality of wire harnesses 380 include a cable for voltage
detection to detect voltages of batteries 54 and 44, and an
input/output cable through which a current flows to charge and
discharge batteries 54 and 44. A current having a voltage of, for
example, not smaller than 200V flows through the input/output
cable.
Furthermore, a trunk cable extending between junction box 60 and
DC-DC converter 210 is included in the plurality of wire harnesses
380. This trunk cable runs under seat leg 230 formed in the shape
of an arch from recess 400 to DC-DC converter 210. In order to
allow the foregoing routing of the trunk cable, side 50a is
positioned to be located more front than back ends of seat legs 230
in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
The vehicle front side and the vehicle upper side of wire harnesses
380 face battery pack assembly 35. Battery pack assembly 35 is
provided so as to shield wire harnesses 380 from instrument panel
31. The vehicle front side of wire harnesses 380 faces first
battery pack 50 and the vehicle upper side of wire harnesses 380
faces second battery pack 40. Wire harnesses 380 are surrounded by
battery pack assembly 35 and floor panel 1 at three sides, namely,
the front side, the upper side and the lower side of the
vehicle.
Car navigation system 32 and audio system 33 are provided at a
position higher than wire harnesses 380 arranged in recess 400.
Battery pack assembly 35 is provided so as to shield wire harnesses
380 from car navigation system 32 and audio system 33. Car
navigation system 32 and audio system 33 are located in line with
battery pack assembly 35 on a straight line extending in the
longitudinal direction of the vehicle. It should be noted that
electronics different from car navigation system 32 and audio
system 33 may be provided at a position lower than wire harnesses
380 arranged in recess 400.
A shield cover 310 is disposed within center console box 21. Shield
cover 310 is made of metal. Shield cover 310 is provided so as to
surround batteries 54 and 44, wire harnesses 380 and junction box
60, together with battery cases 51 and 41. Shield cover 310 is
provided to prevent an electromagnetic wave generated at batteries
54 and 44, wire harnesses 380 and junction box 60 from leaking to
the inside of the vehicle compartment. A porous inlet 320 is formed
in shield cover 310.
Center console box 21 includes a side 21d located at the vehicle
rear side. Side 21d is provided so as to face sides 50a and 40a.
Sidewall 21d is provided so as to face the rear seats that are not
shown. Sidewall 21d is formed so as to be curved toward recess 400
at a position facing side 50a. At the position facing side 50a,
sidewall 21d is formed so as to extend from the rear to the front
in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, toward the direction
from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction.
Sidewall 21d separates the space within center console box 21 from
the inside of the vehicle compartment at recess 400. With the
above-described configuration, enough legroom for the rear seats
can be ensured above floor panel 1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the batteries in FIG. 3. Referring
to FIG. 4, batteries 54 and 44 include a plurality of stacked
battery cells 450, respectively. The plurality of battery cells 450
are stacked in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to
constitute a battery module 460. The plurality of battery modules
460 are stacked in the vehicle width direction to constitute
batteries 54 and 44, respectively. On both sides of stacked battery
modules 460, end plates 410 and 420 are disposed. End plate 410 and
end plate 420 are linked to each other by constraining bands 430. A
gap 440 through which a cooling air flows is formed between
adjacent battery modules 460.
The number of battery cells 450 stacked in the direction in which
side 40a projects from side 50a in FIG. 3 (in the direction shown
by an arrow 101 in FIG. 4) is larger for battery 44 than for
battery 54. In other words, in the longitudinal direction of the
vehicle, battery 44 has the larger number of stacked battery cells
450 than battery 54. In the vehicle width direction, battery 54 has
the larger number of stacked battery cells 450 than battery 44. The
total number of battery cells 450 in battery 44 is larger than that
in battery 54.
The number of battery cells 450 allocated in first battery pack 40
and second battery pack 50 is adjusted to establish a difference
regarding the number of the stacked battery cells in the
longitudinal direction of the vehicle in such a manner, so that
recess 400 where wire harnesses 380 are arranged can be readily
formed.
The description of cooling mechanisms provided at the power supply
apparatus in FIG. 2 will follow. Referring to FIG. 3, an inlet
chamber 56 and an exhaust chamber 57 are formed within battery case
51. Inlet chamber 56 is formed on the upper side of batteries 54,
and exhaust chamber 57 is formed on the lower side of batteries 54.
Formed in covering portion 52 is an air intake opening 55 through
which air inside the vehicle compartment is taken into inlet
chamber 56 as a cooling air. Air intake opening 55 opens at side
50a. The cooling air taken from air intake opening 55 to inlet
chamber 56 flows through batteries 54 and exhaust chamber 57 in
turn in the vertical direction. Formed in extended portion 53 is an
air discharge opening 59 through which the air is discharged from
the inside of battery case 51.
A path of a cooling air is also formed within battery case 41 in a
manner similar to that within battery case 51. An air intake
opening 45 is formed in covering portion 42. Air intake opening 45
opens at side 40a. Although a longitudinal flow method in which a
cooling air flows in the vertical direction is employed in first
battery pack 50 and second battery pack 40, a transverse flow
method in which a cooling air flows in the horizontal direction may
be employed.
First cooling fan 80 is attached to extended portion 53. First
cooling fan 80 is provided to communicate with exhaust chamber 57
via air discharge opening 59. Second cooling fan 70 is attached to
extended portion 43. First cooling fan 80 and second cooling fan 70
are electrically-driven sirocco fans in which air is drawn from the
central portion of a rotary fan in the direction of a rotation
shaft thereof and is discharged in the radial direction of the
rotation shaft. It should be noted that the type of fan is not
limited to a sirocco fan, but it may be, for example, a cross-flow
type fan or a propeller fan.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of exhaust systems of the cooling
mechanisms provided at the power supply apparatus in FIG. 2. FIG. 6
is a front view of the exhaust systems of the cooling mechanisms as
seen from the direction shown by an arrow VI in FIG. 2. Referring
to FIGS. 2 to 6, the exhaust system of the cooling mechanism
provided at first battery pack 50 and the exhaust system of the
cooling mechanism provided at second battery pack 40 are formed
independently of each other.
Exhaust passage 150 is made up of an exhaust duct 160 and an
exhaust duct 170. Exhaust duct 160 and exhaust duct 170 are
provided in line from the upstream side to the downstream side of a
cooling air flow in the cited order. Exhaust duct 160 is connected
to first cooling fan 80. Exhaust duct 170 extends between exhaust
duct 160 and scuff plate 2. Exhaust ducts 160 and 170 are provided
to run under seat legs 230 formed in the shape of an arch. An
outlet 162 that opens toward the cavity between floor panel 1 and
floor carpet 10 is formed in exhaust duct 160.
DC-DC converter 210 is provided such that at least a part thereof
is located within exhaust duct 160. In the present embodiment,
DC-DC converter 210 includes cooling fins 212. Cooling fins 212 are
located within exhaust duct 160. With the above-described
configuration, heat exchange is performed between the cooling air
flowing through exhaust duct 160 and DC-DC converter 210, and
therefore DC-DC converter 210 is cooled.
First cooling fan 80 is driven, and the negative pressure is
generated within battery case 51. At this time, the air inside the
vehicle compartment passes through air introduction slit 22, inlet
320 and air intake opening 55 in turn and is taken into battery
case 51 as a cooling air. The cooling air taken into battery case
51 flows from inlet chamber 56 through gaps 440, during which the
cooling air cools batteries 54. The cooling air having cooled
batteries 54 flows out to exhaust chamber 57 and is guided to first
cooling fan 80. The cooling air passes through exhaust duct 160 and
a part thereof is discharged to the cavity between floor panel 1
and floor carpet 10 through outlet 162. The remaining part of the
cooling air further passes through exhaust duct 170 and is
discharged to cavity 4 surrounded by scuff plate 2 and floor panel
1.
Exhaust passage 100 is made up of an exhaust duct 110, an exhaust
duct 120 and an exhaust duct 130. Exhaust duct 110, exhaust duct
120 and exhaust duct 130 are provided in line from the upstream
side to the downstream side of a cooling air flow in the cited
order. Exhaust duct 110 is connected to second cooling fan 70.
Exhaust duct 130 is connected to scuff plate 3. Exhaust duct 120
extends between exhaust duct 110 and exhaust dust 120. Exhaust duct
130 is provided so as to run under seat legs 240 formed in the
shape of an arch.
Audio equipment 220 is placed on a surface of exhaust duct 130.
Audio equipment 220 is provided such that at least a part thereof
contacts exhaust duct 130 outside the duct.
Second cooling fan 70 is driven, and the negative pressure is
generated within battery case 41. At this time, the air inside the
vehicle compartment passes through air introduction slit 22, inlet
320 and air intake opening 45 in turn and is taken into battery
case 41 as a cooling air. The cooling air taken into battery case
41 flows through gaps 440, during which the cooling air cools
batteries 44. The cooling air having cooled batteries 44 is guided
to second cooling fan 70. The cooling air passes through exhaust
duct 110, exhaust duct 120 and exhaust duct 130 in turn and is
discharged to cavity 5 surrounded by scuff plate 3 and floor panel
1.
In the present embodiment, the total number of stacked battery
cells 450 is relatively small in first battery pack 50 and is
relatively large in second battery pack 40. Therefore, a pressure
loss in a cooling air flow becomes relatively small within first
battery pack 50, and a pressure loss in a cooling air flow becomes
relatively large within second battery pack 40. In order to address
this, DC-DC converter 210 is provided on the path of exhaust
passage 150 connected to first battery pack 50. Therefore, a
difference between a pressure loss on a path of a cooling air
flowing through first battery pack 50 and exhaust passage 150 in
turn and a pressure loss on a path of a cooling air flowing through
second battery pack 40 and exhaust passage 100 in turn can be
lessened. As a result, even if the same type of fans are used for
first cooling fan 80 and second cooling fan 70, a timing when first
cooling fan 80 operates and a timing when second cooling fan 70
operates can be set to be substantially equal.
The structure for mounting the power supply apparatus on the
vehicle in the embodiment of the present invention includes
driver's seat 11 serving as a first seat and passenger's seat 12
serving as a second seat that are installed within the vehicle
compartment and aligned in the vehicle width direction, instrument
panel 31 provided at the vehicle front inside the vehicle
compartment and equipped with car navigation system 32 and audio
system 33 serving as electronics, battery pack assembly 35 located
between driver's seat 11 and passenger's seat 12 and serving as a
power supply portion, and wire harnesses 380 electrically connected
to battery pack assembly 35 and serving as electrical components.
The vehicle front side and the vehicle upper side of wire harnesses
380 face battery pack assembly 35.
According to the power supply apparatus in the embodiment of the
present invention configured in the above-described manner, wire
harnesses 380 are located in recess 400 having three sides
surrounded by first battery pack 50, second battery pack 40 and
floor panel 1. Therefore, arrival of an electromagnetic wave
emitted from wire harnesses 380 at car navigation system 32 and
audio system 33 provided at instrument panel 31 can be suppressed.
As a result, troubles such as a malfunction caused by these
electronics due to the electromagnetic wave can be avoided.
FIGS. 7A-7D are schematic diagrams of modifications of the power
supply apparatus in FIG. 2. The above-described effects can also be
obtained by the modifications that will be described
hereinafter.
Referring to FIG. 7A, in the present modification, first battery
pack 50 and second battery pack 40 are provided such that side 40a
is located more rear than side 50a, and side 50b is located more
front than side 40b. A recess 500 is formed at a position facing
side 40b and on first battery pack 50. The provision of recess 500
allows the battery packs to be located, for example, without
contacting constructions on the main body side of the vehicle.
Referring to FIG. 7B, in the present modification, first battery
pack 50 and second battery pack 40 are provided such that side 40a
is located more rear than side 50a, and side 40b is located more
front than side 50b. A recess 510 is formed at a position facing
side 50b and under second battery pack 40. With the above-described
configuration, wire harnesses 380 through which a relatively
low-voltage current flows can be arranged in recess 510.
Referring to FIG. 7C, in the present modification, junction box 60
is disposed in recess 400. In addition to this, DC-DC converter 210
may be located in recess 400.
Referring to FIG. 7D, in the present modification, a third battery
pack 90 is provided on second battery pack 40. Third battery pack
90 includes a side 90a facing the same direction as sides 50a and
40a, and a side 90b facing the same direction as sides 40b and 50b.
Third battery pack 90 is provided such that side 90a is located
more rear than sides 50a and 40a, and side 90b is located at a
position where side 90b is substantially aligned with sides 50a and
40b in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A recess 520 is
formed at a position facing sides 40a and 50a and under third
battery pack 90. Wire harnesses 380 and junction box 60 are located
in recess 520.
Although the present invention is applied to the power supply
apparatus that is installed within center console box 21 in the
present embodiment, it is not limited thereto. The present
invention is also applicable to a power supply apparatus that is
installed between rear seats divided into right and left.
Furthermore, the present invention is also applicable to a fuel
cell hybrid vehicle (FCHV) employing a fuel cell and a secondary
battery as a driving source, or to an electric vehicle (EV). In the
hybrid vehicle of the present embodiment, an internal combustion
engine is driven at an operating point of optimum fuel efficiency,
whereas, in the FCHV, a fuel cell is driven at an operating point
of optimum electric power generation efficiency. A secondary
battery is used in both hybrid vehicles in basically the same
manner.
In addition, the power supply portion in the present invention is
not limited to a secondary battery (battery), but may be a
capacitor or a fuel cell. The capacitor refers to an electric
double layer capacitor that principally actuates by the use of an
electric double layer formed at an interface between activated
carbon and an electrolytic solution. By using the activated carbon
as a solid and the electrolytic solution (an aqueous solution of
dilute sulfuric acid) as a liquid in contact with each other,
positive and negative electrodes are relatively distributed at very
short intervals on the interface. When a pair of electrodes is
dipped in an ionic solution with the application of a voltage to
such an extent as not to generate electrolysis, ions are adsorbed
onto the surface of each electrode, whereby positive and negative
electricity is stored (i.e., electric charge). When the electricity
is discharged to the outside, positive and negative ions are
separated from the electrodes, so that neutralization is regained
(i.e., electric discharge).
It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are
illustrative and not limitative in any respect. The scope of the
present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather
than the description above, and is intended to include any
modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms
of the claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The present invention is mainly applied to a hybrid vehicle
including an internal combustion engine and a power supply, a fuel
cell hybrid vehicle employing a fuel cell and a secondary battery
as a driving source, and an electric vehicle.
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